Mechanical movement



Juiy 20, 1943.

G. B. ODATTO ET AL MECHANICAL MOVEMENT Filed May 3, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VENTORS.

ATTORNEYS July 20, 1943. G. B. ODATTO ET AL 2,325,013

MECHANICAL MOVEMENT Filed May 3, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 1N VENTORS.

BY WKW ATTORNEYS.

July 20, 1943. a. B. ODATTO ET AL 2,325,913

MECHANICAL MOVEMENT Filed May 3, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3:

INVENTORS.

BY W M. ATTORNEYS.

Patented July 20, 1943 Q UNITED PATENT OFFICE i MECHANICAL MOVEMENT ceorzienert 'O'datto', Cleveland, and William it. Wesseler, East Cleveland; Ohio, as'slgnor's to themselves; as ,joint trustees Application. has, 1941,, Serial No. 391,740

' 7 Claims. (c1 .""14 3os):

This invention, as indicated, relates to a mechanical movement. More particularly it comprises an apparatus adapted to transmit motion at predetermined speed ratiosin amore effective manner than has heretofore been possible, Certain portions of the app ratus in general char acter are similar to those shown in Odatto-Patent No. 1,920,!377, granted August 1, 1933.;

The invention includes a supporting membe having aligned shafts for transmitting "power'and having interposed therebetween a change-speed gear mechanism comprising-an internal gearin constant engagement with a spur gear and of sufliciently larger siz to be adapted for orbital movement about said spur gear producing-epicyclical movement at a point spaced from the center thereof. The invention includes the transmission of movement by mean of the mechanism mounted to produce a varietycf effects, Where a small gear is employed under a relatively larger internal gear an intermittent movement is produced where a period of substantially no movement takes place in the'plane of the con tact points of the respective gears-adapting the same for operating motion picture cameras and projection machines, and ion-certain typesloi machine operations, such as printing presses, punch presses and the like, as wellv as many other forms or articles and'machines too numerous to mention. Where 'a. mgher'gear ratio is, employed the period of intermittent motion may be reduced S0 that at high speed operation it Will cause little irregularity along the power transmission line, and'at the same time willproduce a high degree of speed reduction within a very compact space.

also includes means for holdingand-releasingthe spur gear for free rotation whereby the mechanism may be changed from indirect drive to direct, as desired. r a I In one form of construction the apparatus is particularly ada ted for use as 'ahoist, and-i either member.

The invention also'inclu'd'es control ofthe series of units individually or"'collectiveiy:so as to produce thedesired amount of "speed orpower at the point of delivery; Through 'th'e' us'e of a series of transmissionunits having one or more units 'running at substantially uniform movement undone or more units running at intermittent speed of varyin'gdegree it is possible to change th ef-transmi'tted' movement from uniform to interrupted movement of the desired character,

As stated the apparatus is adapted for use either as a step-up or step-down transmission unit,:or may operate indirect connection at the same ratio, or mayopera'te selectively't'o produce "substantially uniform or intermittent motion. 'The 'apparatus will serve as'a most efl'ective drive for an electric generator, and maybe also empioyed'as a compact type ofhoist. It is also of widespread utility in connection with speed reduction from'hi'gh spee'd'turbin'e power units or from'liigh speed electric motor ower units. It is adapted fordriving the'various'types of vehicles, including automobiles, truck's; military units, such as tanks and'th'e like, asw'ell as all the various types of vessels, and in large units may be'use'ciin marine transmission line's. It is also adapted for use 'with the propellers of "aircraft, and a variety of speeds can beobtained through the use'of a plurality of units of'difierent 'gear ratios which maybe'co'nverted for idirectdrive when desired. I

It is to be understood'in connectionwith this application that where reference ism'sde' tofgear members, such as an internal gear -mer'nber, or spur gear member, it is contemplated that for certain purposes no gear teethare required on In one form of construction use may be made ofa guiding unitaswell as adriving unit for the internal gear transmission member to insure steadiness ofoperation', particularly under specialized operative conditions; Likewise, two drive elements may be utilized insuring satisfactory operation in the event one ofsuch units fails.

The principal object of .the present invention is to provide a power transmission unit; in the form of an internal gear having orbital move,- ment in contact with a spur sea-rand having epicyclieal movement with reference to a pointof such internal gear unit spaced from the center thereof and providing a transmission point for direct drive or for change-speed operation.

the present invention is to paratus to permit high gear ratios through the use of small teeth or friction type elements.

Another object of the invention is to provide a series of transmission units in constant mesh engagement with each other audhaving clutch or braking means to bring about speed and power variations. I

Another object of the invention is to provide transmission units having a spur gear member and an internal gear member adapted to be driven around said spur gear at a predetermined rate of movement relative thereto in anorbital path for transmitting or receiving movement from one transmission shaft concentrically relatedto said internal gear and receivin or transmitting movement from said internal gear at a point removed from its center.

Other and further objects of the invention will appear in the course of the following description.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawings and the following description setting forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but several of various forms in which the principle of the inventionmay be used.

In said annexed drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus embodying the principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a central vertical sectional View of the structure shown in Figure 1; v

Fig. 3 is a top plan View of the structures shown in Figures 1 and 2; i

Fig. 4 is an end view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 as seen from the left-hand side;

Fig. 5 is an end view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 as seen from the right-hand side;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of the connecting link;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view of the structure shown in Figure 6 as seen from above;

Fig. 8 is a central vertical sectional view of a modified form of structure embodying the principles of the invention;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detailed view showing the brake or clutch element of the device;

Fig. '10 is a fragmentary perspective view of the structure shown in Figure 9;

Fig. 11 is .a central vertical sectional view. of a multiple unit transmission line;

Fig. 12 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Figure 11;

Fig. 13 is a central vertical sectional view of a modified form of transmission line having a plurality of units;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a hoisting mechanism embodying the principles of the invention;

and a Fig. 15 is a central vertical sectional view of the structure shown in Figure 14. Q

The invention herein set forth may be embodied in many different forms in accordance with the use to which the apparatus is to be put.

It may be mounted on rigid supporting means secured to a stationary base, or the supporting means may be in the form of a casing for the hoisting member or similar unit which may be suspended on a hooker like support at an elevated position.

In the form of construction illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive supportin means i is P vided having a base plate 2 and a pair of spaced standards 3, 4, shown as tubular members provided adjacent their upper ends with apertures 5, 6, respectively, to receive in adjustable relation tubular members 1, 8, of smaller diameterthan said standards and adapted to be clamped firmly in any desired adjusted position by means of set-screws 9. The standards at their lower ends are preferably secured to the base plate by means-of heavy flanges l0, II, in order to provide a rigid supporting structure.

Within the transverse tubular member I adjacent the ends thereof ball bearings 12, i3, are provided, supporting centrally within said tube a shaft l4 having a crank member l5 at the end of said tube spaced from the companion tubular member 8. The opposite end of the shaft I4 is provided with power transmitting means which may :be in the form of a pulley 16 secured to such shaft by means ofa hub member I1. Any other suitable means of power transmission may be used in place of said pulley, and if desired a hand crank l8 may be secured to said shaft outwardly of said pulley by means of a pin [9 extending through such shaft. Secured to the inner end of a transverse tubular member i is a fixed gear or disc-like power transmitting element 21. This member may be provided with teeth 22 of predetermined size and number, or may have a peripheral surface free of gear teeth but having suitable frictional material or surfacing around its peripheral portion.- An internal gear transmission member 23 of somewhat larger diameter than the diameter of the transmission member 2| is positioned in constant operative engagement with the member 2| and is adapted to be moved therea bout by means, of a crank or an eccentric, or equivalent means whereby a point offset from its center will travel in an epicyclic path. The character of the epicyclic path described by the point just referred to will differ in amplitude in accordance with the relative sizes of the said transmission 'members 2| and 23. When said transmission member Zland 23 are formed of diameters closely the same in dimen sion so as to have approximately the minimum running clearance then the number of separate movements of an offset point on the eccentric gear will be at a maximum and the distance traveled in each movement at a minimum.

This gear ratio will bring about a more uniform rate of transmission than when there are greater differences in diameter between the transmission members 21 and 23'. In-many instances, however, as has been indicated, when it is desired to secure'intermittent action between the gear elements, or transmission members as the case may be, to provide for operating moving picture cameras and projectors, or for driving certain types of printing presses, drill presses, planers, and all thevaried field of mechanical and electrical equipment requiring intermittent action, then the gear ratio must be set up in one or more units to increase such intermittent action as desired. 4 i g Irrespective of the gear ratio decided on, the

apparatus will preferably embody the general principles of the mechanism shown. The eccentric disc 23 has internal gear teeth 24 or a suitable form of frictional -driving surface and is in .constant engagement with ithe peripher'al portion of the transmission member 2|. Thetransmission member- 23 may be inthe form of a ring carrying'the internal gear teeth and secured to a member 21 having sidewalls AllisupI or\;in'g a pivot 28 for a transmission linl; 3i 'whioh'may'be provided with a slot for connection with other elements of thetransmission mechanism as will be hereinafter described.

"'I'he'cup-shaped supporting plate '45 is cen tra'lly apertured' an d preferably has secured thereto a' heavy disc 33 providin a bearing {oi-the pin 34' on th crank member [5. A nut 35 is screw-threadedlyengaged on theend of the crank pin 34 and beneath said nut a suitable bearing Washer 36 is provided toners the internal trans mitting member in'firmoperative relation to the transmitting member 2 I.

"Ihe 'tubular'niemh er 8 heretofore mentioned is in alignment 'vvi'th the tubular member land is provided adjacent its ends with ball bearings 31, 28, 'providinga support for a shaft 11:9." Theshaft 39 at its outer'end may be provided with a pulley 4| seoiu'edto the shai t by means of a hub 42 and pin 43 many other suitable Dower transmittin means. At the end of the shaft adjacent the internal eccentricmez nbergg'heretoiore described a crank member 44 is provided;

A suitabl counterbalance is provided on one end of the crank member 44 beingadjus'tably held thereon by means of stud-'boltslfi slidingly en: gaged through slots fl in the crank member. A similarcounterbalance 48 may be provided opposite assemblage member 21. The'opposite end of the crank member 44 is provided with an elongated slot 5i through which a pivot may be engaged; said pitt pin bein pr vid d with a' roller 53 i'ot'at a-bly engaged w thin the slot 32 of the transmission link. f If desired, one or more guide rollers 5;} may be provided about the periphery of the internal gear,

, as shown in Figure 8. Such guide. roller may he 1 used as a drive for the internal gear; alone or in combination With the crank arm. 7

in m ifi d. ew cvn t't etm shownin Figures Sand l), the general construction of the apparatus is similar to that heretofore de's'cn'bed and like characters have been applied thereto. The spur gear member, ortrict'ional disc element 6 l is carried on a sleeve 62 freely rota'tablew hin the standard 3 whennot held against rotation.

Thus; \vhen free the apparatus will operate as a direct drive mechanism under certain conditions of'operation. It maybe provided viith'a clutch member '63 at the end ofthe sleeve 62; said clutch member being spines more sleeve'soas to be slidable thereon, and ha ving a friction surf-ace 64 bearing against a friction surface 6501i the pulley when shifted to clutching positionby means of a shift lever 65 supportedona standard 6 and having a fork G8 engaging a groove around the periphery of the clutch member. A conventional latchingmechanism 89'may be provided to! the lever.

lIhe sleeve 62 carries a heavy disc. or brake member I I adjacent the outer side-oif the standard 3 said friction member being adapted to be enmotion through the transmission line.

by a spring member 13 centrally of its upper end, having its endpoztions 14; I5, spaced by a spring 16 engaged on an operating bar 11. Apair of beveled clamping nuts 18,19, are -engagedupon the bar i and bearagainst beveled inclined surfaces on the-ends of the brake band 12. The brake-can then applied from either side by levels 84 or 96 since either: end'wlll have suflicient take-up on the 'beveledsurface to securelyhold the brake member -1.I 'and its associated niechanism from movement; JT-h'e provision of two biiake'members llkewise permits individual and simultaneous operation ofa series of transmission units arranged for'various purposesyas will he hereinafter described. Conventional latching mechanism IM maybe provided for the'levers.

' Where's. variety'of changes in speed or changes in'the. character of the motion from substan: tiallynntermittent or interrupted motion to sub 'stantially uniform rotary movement is desired a plurality of units' may be' placed in the. trans mission line and tl'u'oixrn into and out of action as desired by means of a clutching mechanism,

ab'ove'describedl As is shown inFigura 11 two units substantially identical with the-unit shown in Figure 8 are positioned in alignment. Any. desired number of units :could be coupled in the same manner.- It will benoted that the shaft 8| of the unit 82 may drive the shaft 83 directly thi'ou'gh the clutch mechanism 84 or in th predetermined gcar ratio through the engagementidf the brake member 35 The shaft 88 is extended into the unit '86 and isprovided with a crank member 8'! driving the shaft member 88 through the transmission. ele.- ments heretofore described; Through-the use oi theclutchhandle 89pm the brake Qijthe' trans: mission through-said 'unit may be direct or a 'step down or. step-uptransmission through the The units may in simultaneously controlled,

desired, through the use of a control lever 92cm:-

nected withth'e brake levers 93, $4,, or may be in-.

dividually-operated through the "brake laverstfi, 9B. A similar. arrangement of levers rnaybe'uti lined to operate the clutch handles-8.4;- 25.1

The construction illustrated in Figure 13 come prises a unit 91 adapted to'deliver substantially uniform rotary motion through the transmission line and "also have a unit Sl 'in alignment there; with adapted to provide a degree of intermittent Through the use oi the clutch members 9.9 and thebrake members "If either. unit may bethrown out of action as a change-speed unit and caused .to drive directly. Thus, full direct drive maybe had from said unit andslikewise substantially uniform operation maybe had through the. use ofnthe unit '31, on interrupted motion may. bev had through the use of the unit 98. A compromise between the two. motions. may likewise be had. by

- havingboth units operate in spcedechangi-ng ratio. I

In addition to thev other uses indicated, the principle of the-invention is readily applicable to an eflicient type. of hoist having flew parts and being inexpensive. to. manufacture and maintain under heavy. duty service. As is shown in Figures 5 tions by means of bolts I engaged through slots I06 in the frame. The frame has end members I01, I08, and also has an intermediate member I09. The load is carried on a hook I I I on a chain II2 running over a sprocket II3 between the members I08, I08, on the main hoist shaft II4. At the end of the hoist shaft I I4 opposite the load sprocket II3 a crank arm H5 is provided, said crank arm having a slot IIS adjacent its upper end through which the driving link I I1, having a slot II8 engages over a roller unit II9 supported on the upper end of the crank arm I I5 centrally of the slot: The transmission link is pivotally mounted between apertured lugs I2I through which a pivot pin I22 extends, such pivot pin passing through an opening in the end of the transmission link, or driving link III. The apertured lugs are securely mounted on the peripheral portion of an internal gear member I23 mounted on an eccentric I24 carried on a sleeve I25 extending through the end member I01 and carrying on its opposite end a sprocket wheel I28 keyed thereto, over which is engaged an operating chain I2I.

The sleeve I25 is engaged over a sleeve of smaller diameter I28 running on the main hoist shaft II4 which sleeve carries at one end a spur gear I29, and at its opposite end a disc I3I carrying friction material I32 on one side. A clutch, or brake sprocket member, I33 is mounted adjacent the disc I3I, and has a screw-threaded hub member engaging with a screw-bearing I34 secured to the intermediate frame member I09 and carries friction material I35 adjacentthe disc I3I. A chain I on the sprocket causes the member I33 to move toward the member I3I and engages the respective friction surfaces for holding or braking action on the spur gear I23. The sprocket I I3 has on one side a ratchet flange I36 which is engaged by a pawl I3'I carried on a pin I38 secured to the adjacent face of the friction disc member I3I. Retaining guide members I4I, I42, I43 may be secured to the adjacent frame members I09, I08, respectively, above the sprocket wheels I26, I33, I3I.

The hoist operation is accomplished by operating the chain I2'I which drives the internal gear through the eccentric I24 at a low ratio around the spur gear I29 and through the driving link III and crank arm II5 turns the hoist shaft II4 carrying the sprocket II3 upon which the chain H2 is mounted. The ratchet I36 and pawl I31 prevents the load descending while the clutch member I33 is engaged with the disc. I3I,

but on releasing the clutch I33 through the chain Y I30, the load may be lowered at any desired speed, the mechanism operating in direct drive on release under frictional control. I

Other modes of applying the principle of our invention may be employed instead of those explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

We therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as our invention: 7

1. A mechanical movement comprising a support, a pair of coaxial shafts mounted for'rotation on said support, crank elements mounted on said shafts in adjacent positions to each other, a gear element mounted for rotation on. one crank element eccentrically to said shaft, a companion gear element rotatably mounted on said support, means for selectively holding said companion gear element against rotation, said first-named gear element having engagement with said companion gear element and having orbital movement in relation thereto when said companion gear element is held against rotation, one of said gear elements having internal gear teeth, and a driving connection from a point offset from'the center of said gear elementhaving orbital movement to the crank element mounted onthe other of said shafts whereby epicyclic motion of said point is transformed into motion imparted to said last named shaft.

2. A mechanical-movement comprising a support, a pair of gear members at least one of which is held without movement on said support, said gear members including an internal gear member and a spur gear member in engagement therewith, 0perative means on one of said gear members substantially in the plane of the peripheral margin thereof and said operative means having an epi cyclic path of movement with reference to the companion gear member of said pair of gear members, and eccentric means rotatably supporting one of said gears for producing ielative rotational movement between said gear iembers, and causing said epicyclic movement of cperative means.

3. A mechanical movement comprising sup-- porting means, aligned shafts mounted thereon, a crank clement mounted on each shaft at the adjacent ends thereof, a spur gear rotatably mounted on said support, friction means for holding said spur gear against rotation, an internal gear member engaged with said spur gear for orbital motion thereabout, means rotatably necting the center of said internal gear member with one of said crank elements, means for connecting, for epicyclic motion, a point offset from the center of said internal gear with the other of said crank elements, and means for transmitting motion through said respective shafts.

4. A mechanical movement comprising supporting means, aligned shafts mounted thereon, a crank element mounted on each shaft at the adjacent ends thereof, a spur gear rotatably mounted on said support, friction means for retarding the releasing motion of said spur gear in either direction, an internal gear member engaged with said spur gear for orbital motion thereabout, means rotatably connecting the center of said internal gear member with one of said crank elements, means for connecting, for epicyclic motion, a point offset from the center of said internal gear with the other of said crank elements, and means for transmitting motion through said respective shafts.

5. An apparatus of the character described having in combination supporting means, a spur gear rotatably mounted on said supporting means, controlling means to selectively hold said spur gear in non-rotatable relation to said support, means for operating said controlling means, an internal gear movably supported to have runhing contact with said spur gear, means to move said internal gear eccentrically around said spur gear, and means to transmit power from said internal gear.

6. An apparatus of the character described having in combination supporting means, a spur gear rotatably mounted on said supporting moans, controlling means to selectively hold and release the rotary movement of said spur gear in relation to said support, means for operating said controlling means, an internal gear movably supported to have running contact, with said spur gear, means to move said internal gear eccentrically around said spur gear, and means to transmit power from said internal gear.

7. An apparatus of the character described, having in combination supporting means, a plurality of transmission units in aligned position on said supporting means, a spur gear rotatably mounted in each transmission unit, means for seengagement with the peripheries of said spur gear, respectively, means for moving each of said internal gears eccentrically around said respective spur gears, power transmission means offset from the center of said internal gears, respectively, a pair of aligned transmission shafts, and means for connecting the first and last transmission units centrally and eccentrically, respectively, to said respective shafts.

GEORGE BERT ODATTO. WILLIAM J. WESSELER. 

